Jonas Valanciunas worked on his English, his physique, as well as his game this summer and the results have been evident.

The second-year centre has bulked up and been even more productive on the court than he was as a talented rookie. Though he’s still not completely comfortable in front of microphones and cameras, his command of the language has improved enough that he is comfortable saying more to his teammates while on the floor.

While there is still much to improve on, that’s a big step, according to head coach Dwane Casey, because Casey’s well-regarded defensive schemes centre — pun intended — on what the man in the middle does. In particular, how well the seven-footer protects the rim and the paint and directs traffic for his mates.

“He has to be the radar in the back, of seeing things, of reading situations. The big guy has to communicate it, he’s got to see it, anticipate it, and there’s so much to do as a big guy, that’s why that position is so important,” Casey was explaining after practice Monday.

Casey said Valanciunas is assisted in his key role by veterans DeMar DeRozan, Amir Johnson, Kyle Lowry and Rudy Gay while he’s on the floor, and Aaron Gray, in his third year under Casey, every day in practice.

“He has got help, but it makes it so much easier for everyone if he’s there communicating, directing traffic and being where he’s supposed to be,” Casey said.

That’s coming, but there will be some mistakes, likely plenty, given Valanciunas’ young age.

“The game is so fast for a young player, you’ve got to process (everything) in three, four seconds.

“There’s times he is great, (and) possessions where he has no clue what hit him. He’s a work in progress. I like his approach, I like his attitude.”

Everybody associated with the franchise does. Valanciunas remains the future of the Raptors organization. While he might never defensively get to the level of Tyson Chandler, Casey’s poster boy for what a centre should do defensively, few do and Valanciunas will be tasked with a far larger offensive role than Chandler ever has been asked to wield.

The Lithuanian big man said he needs to get better, but feels far more at ease in the system this year.

“I’ve got to see everything, I’ve got to be alert to help on defence, (but) it’s my second year, so it’s easier,” Valanciunas said.

“Same coach, same defence, same schemes. I’m familiar with those schemes (now).”

There was some concern that a summer spent with his national team, in Las Vegas at summer league and in the weight room would be too much for Valanciunas. That he’d be exhausted by the time camp hit.

Not so, he insists.

“I played basketball all summer and I was (able to participate in the) full training camp, so I feel great, I feel ready for (the opener against Boston). We’ll see what’s going to happen on Wednesday.”

RAPTORS NOTES

Casey said top shooter Steve Novak’s hand is healing and he’s expected to be in the lineup against Boston.

“Novak has been full tilt, full practice, we anticipate him being ready to go. He’s shot the ball well yesterday and today, so I hope that’s a good sign,” Casey said … Despite considerable work on his shooting this summer, DeRozan only shot 3-for-14 from three-point range in the pre-season. Still, Casey, who wants the offence to emphasize threes more this year, is going to let him keep firing away, to an extent. DeRozan will have the green light for certain three-point attempts, but not others. “If he has a three-point shot, he’s worked on it, there’s a type of three-point shot we want to emphasize, not just any willy-nilly three-point shot, that’s not going to happen,” he said. “We have a system of shot selection that we have, that we believe in, that we’re going to continue to work on.”

LOWRY LOOKING GOOD

Sore left ring finger aside, Kyle Lowry is feeling better than he has in a long time.

Unlike this time last year, when he was having trouble bouncing back from an invasive surgery to deal with a hernia, Lowry is in top shape, having worked extremely hard to get his body back in gear.

Mission accomplished, says Dwane Casey.

“His conditioning is unbelievable now and it’s helped him in so many ways his concentration, his focus, he’s not gambling on defence, so many things. It’s good to see,” Casey said.

Because he is healthier and well-conditioned, Lowry is able to go harder for longer at both ends. That’s important, because his game is built on relentless energy.

“He’s still human, he’s still going to get tired, but, he’ll still be able to go for longer periods of time, longer stretches without losing focus or breaking down defensively or missing shots he normally makes,” said Toronto’s coach.

Casey said he is still searching for the main backup behind Lowry. D.J. Augustin had a strong practice on Monday and was signed under the assumption he’d get the job.

Dwight Buycks missed practice to attend to a family matter and Casey again singled out Julyan Stone for his play, saying the young guard has been “solid.”

Due to the weakness of the bench, Casey intends to always have at least one or two starters out on the floor with the reserves.

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Raptors' Jonas Valanciunas making big strides

Jonas Valanciunas worked on his English, his physique, as well as his game this summer and the results have been evident.

The second-year centre has bulked up and been even more productive on the court than he was as a talented rookie. Though he’s still not completely comfortable in front of microphones and cameras, his command of the language has improved enough that he is comfortable saying more to his teammates while on the floor.

While there is still much to improve on, that’s a big step, according to head coach Dwane Casey, because Casey’s well-regarded defensive schemes centre — pun intended — on what the man in the middle does. In particular, how well the seven-footer protects the rim and the paint and directs traffic for his mates.